The process uses photosynthesis to convert CO2, water and sunlight into multicarbon fuels – ethanol and propanol – in a single step. As the process sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, the fuel is carbon neutral and does not divert any agricultural land away from food production, unlike biofuels.
While the technology is still at laboratory scale, the researchers say their ‘artificial leaves’ are an important step in the transition away from a fossil fuel-based economy.
Bioethanol is touted as a cleaner alternative to petrol, since it is made from plants instead of fossil fuels. Most cars and trucks on the road today run on petrol containing up to 10 per cent ethanol (E10 fuel).
“Biofuels like ethanol are a controversial technology, not least because they take up agricultural land that could be used to grow food instead,” said professor Erwin Reisner, who led the research.
...